Queen Lydia Liliuokalani

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`Onipa`a.

Stand firm.

Motto of Queen Lili`uokalani.

(September 2, 1838 – November 11, 1917)

Queen Liliuokalani was the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Islands.

She was born in Honolulu to high chief Kapaakea and the chiefess Keohokalole, the third of ten children. Liliuokalani was adopted at birth by Abner Paki and his wife Konia. At age 4, her adoptive parents enrolled her in the Royal School. There she became fluent in English and was influenced by Congregational missionaries. She also became part of the royal circle attending Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma.

Liliuokalani married a ha’ole, John Owen Dominis on September 16, 1862. Dominis served the monarchy as the Governor of O’ahu and Maui.

Upon the death of her brother, King Kalakauam Liliuokalani ascended the throne of Hawaii in January 1891.

One of her first acts was to recommend a new Hawaii constitution, as the “Bayonet Constitution” of 1887 limited the power of the monarch and political power of native Hawaiians. In 1893, Queen Liliuokalani sought to empower herself and Hawaiians through a new constitution. A group led by Sanford B. Dole sought to overthrow the institution of the monarchy. The American minister in Hawaii, John L. Stevens, called for troops to take control of Iolani Palace and various other governmental buildings. In 1894, the Queen, was deposed, the monarchy abrogated, and a provisional government was established which later became the Republic of Hawaii.